§ MR. ANNAN BRYCE (Inverness Burghs)To ask the Secretary of State for India whether the Memorandum explanatory of the Indian Budget is prepared in India or in London; whether either the document itself or the materials for its preparation have been for some time in the possession of the India Office; and whether, in the future, he will arrange, if it be prepared in India, that it be issued immediately after receipt, or, if it be prepared in London, that it be issued within a reasonable time after receipt of the materials so that there may be allowed, as was done last year, as long an interval as possible for the study of its contents before the discussion on the Indian Budget is taken.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) The Explanatory Memorandum by the Secretary of State for India is prepared in London. The materials from which it is compiled have been in the possession of the India Office for about one month, within which time the Memorandum (a blue-book of thirty-eight pages) has been prepared and printed. The proof was approved by me on the 8th instant, the earliest date on which the Memorandum has been approved during the twenty-one years since it was first published. I have satisfied myself that its completion at an earlier date cannot reasonably be asked for. It will be in the hands of Members for a considerable period before the Budget discussion.